"Congratulations, Hau." Everyone turned to see Captain Ilima walk up to the trial winner. "Your performance has been a delight. I'd expect nothing less than the Kahuna's grandson. You managed to win even though you didn't use your Z-Power successfully."
"Yeah, that All-Out Pummling is no joke." Hau laughed.
"Indeed. Say, why don't you and your friends stop by the Alola Photo Club for a commemorative photo? That should give Ash enough time to pass while the Kahuna's Pokemon rest up."
"Oh yeah, I just realized something!" Misty remembered as she asked the Kahuna. "Kahuna Hala, is it possible for us to use the Mantine ride?"
"Mandy asking for permission? Sure, you young'ins deserve a bit of fun on that with all that you've been doing for Melemele against Team Skull." Misty jumped up with a pumped fist.
"Yes!"
"How great, very well then. I shall see you guys later. May the future bring you happiness." Ilima left the group.
"How about paying your mom a visit though, right Ash? Let her know what's been happening, yeah? When you're done with that, head on down to the marina in Hau'oli City."
"While we're there when we get there, let's check out the shopping mall along with the photo club! We still haven't taken that proper group photo yet!"
"Good thinking Hau, yeah! Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention, you are growing so strong already! I can't wait to see how much you and Ash will grow. Lillie, how about you go with Ash and Misty? My Pokemon can help with cleaning the boat."
"Oh, okay." The blonde girl nodded. Upon heading home, Ash entered his home along with Misty and Lillie.
"Hi mom."
"Hello Ash. Or should I say Alola? I like their greeting custom. The people are so friendly. Misty, Lillie, how are you girls doing?"
"Doing good. Just wanted to come by and let you know what's happening between us." The redhead replied.
"I am... also doing good." Lillie answered with her head tilted down, her hat covering her face.
"Oh that's great to hear. What's the news?"
"Ash and Hau battled each other to see who could win against the Kahuna, and Hau won. Both against Ash and the Grand Trial."
"Yeah, I need to put more effort in training them." Ash sighed.
"Don't worry dear, you'll catch up. Just be sure to have fun along the way." Ash gave a weak smile.
"Yeah, you're right."
"Anyway, I heard that this place called Ten Caret Hill got cleared up by the Professor's lab. A landslide apparently happened but Machamps were able to take care of that."
"Um... I don't know." Lillie grew nervous. "The good part of the hill is past a narrow ledge and I'd... rather not go through something of precarious heights again." Delia was taken aback before apologizing.
"Oh, apologies dear. I didn't know you maybe had a bad experience recently. Forget I said anything."
"It's... it's okay. We were thinking about heading to a photo club in Hau'oli City anyway."
"Yeah, and go to the Mantine ride!" Misty added.
"Oh that sounds exciting! Be sure to be careful on those. Go out and have fun then.
"Okay, bye mom." Ash said as he hugged his mom and the three teens went to go to the city. It didn't take long to find the photo club, where the female receptionist recognized Ash's Z-Ring.
"Oh, hello trainer! Looks like you have a Z-Power Ring! Here at the Photo Club, you can take some fun pictures with your Pokemon while striking poses, or use that booth over there for you and your friends. You should definitely give them a try since you came here." And with that, Ash and Misty had a little bit of fun as they looked at each of the 18 known Z-move poses to go with their favorite Pokemon. Ash didn't have a favorite since he liked all six equally so he decided to go with each one to do the a Z pose corresponding with their type. Misty had all three of her Pokemon out as she and Staryu, Wingull and Slowpoke did the Water Z pose, which resembled a hula dance. Her Wingull did the best with her wings but Staryu was too stiff as a starfish and Slowpoke was... Slowpoke. But the picture was a fun one anyway. Lillie was not willing to expose her Nebby to a random camera person, but Ash lent her his Popplio so that she could do a Fairy Z pose. She had her left leg up and her arms into a form of 'w' to emulate fairy wings. The only thing wrong was her face as her smile felt forced, like she didn't understand how this was fun for people.
"Wow, we look great!" Ash laughed.
"Oooh, I like your photos!" The receptionist complimented the three teens. I'll give you something to store them in so that you can check them out at any time!" She handed each one of them a photo album. "Here's also some stickers to decorate them."
"Hey, there you guys are!" They turned to see that Hau entered the Photo Club. "I bet you guys got great shots in there together, right?!"
"Yeah, why don't you join in?" Misty prompted, but he shook his head as he placed his hands behind his head.
"Man, once I get started on the poses and the stickers and things, I can't stop myself! I'll spend ages making sure each and every single one of my Pokemon is looking awesome, so I should hold off on taking any photos of my own for now."
"That sounds reasonable." Lillie nodded.
"But, we can use that photo booth for us. You can do whatever you like for yours while mine stays mint fresh and sticker free."
"Then let's go!" Ash yelled as they went to the booth. It took some persuading with Lillie, but she was able to participate with doing some silly faces, using Pokemon masks, and doing dynamic poses. All four of them had fun. As the walked out of the club, the blonde girl was giggling.
"Hehe, while I admit I was nervous at first, that turned out to be so silly and fun!"
"Yeah, I can't wait for what's next!" Hau agreed.
"Hey cousins!" Professor Hau greeted them as he walked up to the group. "Good timing! I've just got the old girl up and ready to sail!"
"Oh yeah, about that. We were thinking of going to the Mantine Surf. We could use that for getting to Akala Island."
"You can use them to move between islands?" Ash questioned.
"Oh yeah. In a place like this, using Pokemon just as much as boats isn't just a sport and means of transportation, but an old tradition too. It's said the original Alolans came here on the backs of water types. And boats to carry sustenance along the journey." Hau chuckled.
"I get first dibs on Mantine!" Misty shot her hand up.
"I think I'll use the boat instead when I need to." Lillie opted instead.
"Well, it's all up to you! The Island Challenge is all about journeying with Pokemon after all! See you three on the island, and I'll see you when it's time to take off Lillie!" Walking off, Lillie asked Ash.
"Ash, I was hoping to ask you for a favor. Is that all right?"
"Sure. What do you need?"
"You see, Nebby... It's real home is real far away from here. And I want to help it get home. You know it saved my life when I was in trouble. I want to save it. I feel like there's not much I can do on my own, since I'm not a Pokemon trainer. But if you helped me... wait, if you all helped me, then maybe..."
"Of course Lillie!" Ash accepted the request. Misty and Hau also nodded. Lillie was surprised.
"Re-really? Even when my wish has nothing to do with you?"
"Of course! We're friends!" Misty told Lillie as she slung her arm over the blonde's shoulders. "We're like a quartet!"
"Yeah, you can count on us!" Hau gave a thumbs up while flashing a big smile.
"Oh! Thank-thank you so much! I'm so-so glad! I did-didn't really kn-know what else to do!" Lillie was so grateful she began to cry and stooped down to hug her face into her face.
"Oh, come here." Misty went to hug the crying girl while the two boys hugged her as well. This act of friendship resulted in the crying girl's lips to quiver into a smile. Especially as she leaned into Ash's part of the shared embrace the most.
To their surprise, the group saw that at the beach there was a Mantine surfing contest. Perhaps it was advertised but they didn't see it because they rushed there to beat Team Skull?
"Oh wow! I can't wait to sign up!" Misty cheered.
"Aloha Hau! Congratulations on beating your grandfather." They saw an older man approach them that looked like-
"Professor Oak?!" Ash was flabbergasted from how he grew what the thought was a mullet and acquired a deep tan in such or short time. He also wore a cyan beach shirt and white shorts.
"Haha, people do say we look alike. I'm Samson Oak, Samuel Oak's cousin!"
"Interesting." Ash wondered why he was never brought up or why there were no pictures back in the professor's lab.
"Now, I may not be as prestigeious here as Professor Kukui, but I'm researching a different Pokemon aspect. Totem Pokemon."
"Oh, like the Raticate!" Hau realized.
"Exactly! Why are they so large? What gives them that burning aura that helps them be either stronger, tougher or faster? Don't you find yourself wondering as well?"
"I haven't really thought about it." Ash admitted. "We've been doing all sorts of things."
"Hmmm, well that can be understandable. Younglin's such as yourselves are in such a rush, trying to do as much as possible. Let me tell you something, they're not exclusive to Trial Captains. I happen to have my own, and I can lend you if each of your progress goes far enough for each one."
"Oh man, I want an extra large Wailord then! Nothing can take that down!" Hau started jumping in anticipation but Samson just chuckled.
"No, I'm afraid there's no Wailord one. As of now there's only 11 recorded cases of Totem Pokemon, and the one water type is something you might not like meeting initially."
"Well I love all water types." Misty boasted. "It's probably not too bad."
"Haha, we'll see." Samson chuckled. "Ash, I'm sure you won't let me down with the Island Challenge. After all, you are the trainer that Professor Kukui entrusted a Rotom Dex with." Rotom popped out.
"Yezzz, I'm zzzo lucky to be entrusted with such a handsome, beautiful trainer!" The machinery said affectionately before going back into Ash's bag, causing the old man to chuckle.
"I see. Seems like Rotom has quite an attachment to you."
"Yeah." Ash sighed in embarrassment.
"Well, if you ever need to find me, I'll be on Heahea Beach on Akala Island."
"Cool. Now then, let's go surfing!" Misty cheered as she removed her top to reveal a dark blue bikini underneath. Ash was shocked still while Hau gasped as he covered his eyes out of polite decency. Lillie was also quite surprised by her choice of action.
"Oh my. Why do you have a bikini under your normal clothes?" She asked as the redhead as she took her shorts and shoes off too. She slightly paused before carefully answering,
"Uh, I-I just love water Pokemon so much, that I'm always prepared to go into the water when the opportunity arises, yes." While that was true in of itself, that wasn't the whole story which she'd prefer not to tell. Noticing Ash's gaze at her, she snickered. "Hey Ash, it's considered rude to stare like that. Especially at a woman."
"Huh, wha? Oh, sorry! I was caught off guard is all!" Ash cried out as he turned around, causing Misty to laugh.
"It's okay boys, you can look. It's not like you're seeing anything really indecent." Hau uncovered his eyes while Ash stiffly turned back around.
"Huh, you pull that off well Misty." Hau complimented, now that he was in the clear.
"Thanks. Now watch me go surfing!" Running to the ride, they watched Misty signed up for the contest, have the riding gear strapped, greeted the Mantine and stepped onto the platform on its back. Going out into the deep blue, it took a small bit to adjust but the girl was already managing to perfectly keep her balance, even when the Kite Pokemon did a small jump. Going up against a big wave, Misty was able to surf on the wave with a huge smile on her face. "Alright Mantine, let's do this!" The Pokemon made a noise of agreement as they went up the wave, rode up a bit before going down to gain speed, and then went up again to perform some moves. She spun in various rolls and spirals, first the right, then the left, and then she performed a super move which was a loop-de-loop!
"Wow, she's really good! I didn't know she was a natural surfer!" Ash was impressed by her skill.
"I'd imagine with one that has such an affinity to water she'd be able to ride them very easily." Lillie reasoned. A smile was unintentionally on her face because she was also impressed with the display she was seeing.
"Woo! Go Misty, you're doing awesome!" Hau cheered her on. The watchers would be even more amazed when she performed a flip on the flying Mantine, a Starmie 1080, and a Over the Gyarados!
"Ash, could you walk me to Professor Kukui's lab?" Lillie requested. "I think now would be the time for me to head to Akala Island."
"Oh, sure." Ash agreed as he and Lillie walked towards the lab. "So, how's it been going?"
"It's been... good." Lillie replied, unsure on what to talk about.
"How has been hanging with us been?"
"It's... been fun. It's been a long while since I've had this much fun."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure bad times stay away. Just leave things to us." Ash said assuredly. The blonde lightly smiled and nodded.
"Thank you." Not paying attention to her steps, Lillie's right foot slipped over the sidewalk and she was about to fall with a yell when Ash took her hand and pulled her back, instinctively pulling her close as they wound up in a tall rain cover over a bench. Lillie's hat dropped to the ground since Ash's head inadvertently got in the way of the brim.
"Whoa, are you okay?" Ash asked out of concern. Lillie didn't say anything as she kept herself locked and tight within his arms, her eyes closed shut and her hands balled into fists.
"That was... scary." The poor girl was even trembling in his arms.
"Huh, you must've really been startled by that fall. Well, you're okay now." He tried to let her go but Lillie shook her head.
"Wait. Hold me... just a little more." Wondering why this has gotten into Lillie so much, Ash obliged regardless when he held her close, staying silent as he let her calm down in his arms until she calmed down. When she was ready, she said,
"I... I wish to go to the lab now."
"Oh, okay." Letting her go, the two resumed their walk, though he was somewhat surprised when she took his hand to hold, her head held downward. Ash smiled though, believing she was trusting him. By the time they reached the lab though was when she let go and walked ahead of Ash, confusing the boy. He could hear the Professor greet her.
"Oh, hey Lillie! No problems getting here?"
"No."
"Great, then let's get to Akala Island, yeah. Oh, hey Ash! Did you walk Lillie here?!" Ash had walked around the corner of the lab which was how Kukui greeted him.
"Yeah. She had a slight tumble but I kept her from falling."
"Haha, that's good to hear. You told him thanks, yeah?" The professor inquired his assistant. Lillie turned to him with her hat shield her face and responded,
"Tha-thank you. For everything." Ash wasn't sure how to respond to that though, given her stiff and unusual body language. Like any further communication would break her like glass.
"Well, we'll be on our way. See ya Ash!" Both of them got into the boat and sailed away, leaving Ash wondering what was up with Lillie. Strange girl.
A/N: Pretty interesting, huh? I think this is becoming the beginning of the story's ship. I'm not too sure though since I'm learning the story the first time unlike most of you that played this so forgive me if this feels like I'm writing this without considering what's to come. Bulbapedia sure isn't a help with not having a complete walkthrough through this. But I feel confident this this will be a good interpretation of the ship here. What do you guys think? Am I writing this well enough or am I making Lillie too much of a cry baby? Hopefully the former.